What's a collector? To many a collector is a glorified junk dealer. But those savvy collectors know what they have is worth money and junk collectors merely collect worthless junk, although many skeptics can't see the difference.
I'm sure you all have a friend or two that looks at your stuff and says things like: 'why do you have that old thing, nobody uses those anymore' or 'who's ever going to buy that?'. These people have absolutely no entrepreneur skills and believe anyone who doesn't work a 9-5 job is a loser, even if you earn more than them they will never accept buying and selling vintage collectibles as a viable source of income.
Now one thing must be said about the collector/picker is that collecting seems to be an obsession or addiction and is not at all easy to quit if you decide to do so. Once you've mastered turning 'junk' into dollars it's a hard thing to walk away from. Actually I don't think anyone ever stops completely since once you start you see 'junk' in a different light and it's extremely hard if not impossible to pass up a find you know you can turn for a profit.
I look at those who buy and sell antiques and vintage collectibles as providing a service in that they are helping to preserve the past. If you've ever been out to a flea market I'm sure you've heard: 'I haven't seen one of those in a while, my Mother had one just like that'.
Antiques and collectibles are a trip down memory lane, reminding us of good times and bad and loved ones no longer with us but just as importantly antiques and collectibles can provide a lot of fun for the collector and a little extra pocket money or a sole source of income if you are dedicated and serious enough.